"The Culprit has to be the First Prince."
Evane spoke with a confident look on her face and at the same time, she supported Nux and gave him a Healing Potion.
Hearing her words, Astaria chuckled,
"Did you really think you could skip the main part so easily?"
Evane's face turned solemn, and Nux had a similar reaction.
'Shit.'
He cursed inwardly.
'Get ready.'
He then heard Evane's solemn voice.
His eyes then fell on Evane and he noticed that she had turned her back towards him, making it easier for him to stab her from behind.
Of course, he was still reluctant to do so.
And as if she had sensed it, Evane spoke,
'We have already talked about this Nux. You will run away the moment something is wrong.'
'Yes, I know.'
Nux nodded.
'Then get ready.'
Evane spoke.
Nux then clenched his fist and just as he was about to take out his dagger from his storage ring, Astaria spoke.
" 'Duke Centho, Duke Vestalis, and Duke Merula have no reason, the only one left is Duke Fulvanius,' this is what you said, did you really think that giving out more proves against the First Prince would bury your statement?"
"Huh?"
This time, Evane frowned in confusion.
"This cheap trick will not work, Evane. Explain yourself.
Duke Merula and Duke Vestalis I understand, they are yours and the Third Prince's and your Grandfathers, but what is stopping Duke Centho to attack you two?"
Astaria questioned.
'Ah, so that's what she was talking about.'
Nux and Evane sighed in relief, a serious look then appeared on Evane's face and she continued with her script.
"Duke Centho and Duke Merula already had a deal. Rather than supporting Lucas, who did not have a very high chance of sitting on the Throne, Duke Centho decided to support Lovis. It doesn't make sense for him to go after someone who carries all his hopes."
Hearing her words, the Ministers and King frowned and glanced at Ministers from Centho and Merula families, the two ministers, however, didn't show any reactions. Presley Merula, however, glanced at Evane and wondered inwardly,
'How does she know about that?'
Astaria wasn't a least bit interested in the Ministers, she just questioned Evane.
"And do you have any proof of your claim?"
"Of course not. There is no way Duke Merula and Duke Centho would allow me to keep the proof for something so confidential, this matter was related to Lovis's life after all.
However, I am sure if you investigate on your own name, you will definitely find something."
Evane replied.
"Alright, let's assume that what you say is true, doesn't this practically ensure Lovis's position as the next King of the Kingdom? This is definitely something that would bother you, wouldn't it?
What if you were the one who killed him?"
Astaria questioned.
"I wouldn't have made it so obvious if I wanted to kill him."
"What do you mean?"
"Why would I use a fake stamp? Although it didn't, however, there was a very high chance that Lovis might realize that the stamp is fake and might not come, I wouldn't take such a stupid risk after arranging everything.
Also, I never said I wanted to be the ruler. Rather, I wanted to support Lovis, I even talked with my Grandfather, although the talks were yet to be concluded."
"WHAT!?"
"Then the Third Prince would have had 3 Dukes supporting him! Who could have defeated him!?"
The people in the hall couldn't control themselves and exclaimed out loud.
Astaria, however, remained calm,
"Are you saying that you do not wish to become the next ruler?"
"At first, yes, I did not."
Evane nodded.
"At first?" Astaria raised her brow.
"After my brother was assassinated, I made up my mind. No matter what happens, I would not let that Raguel sit on the Throne."
Evane spoke with a solemn look on her face, her solemn look then turned into an angry one and she clenched her fist.
"He killed my brother for the Throne, now I will take that Throne away from him.
I know that Lucas is not suitable to be the next king, therefore, as the only eligible heir, I had to step forward."
Then, a chilling smile appeared on Evane's face and she commented.
"I can definitely sacrifice this much in order to get my revenge."
"…"
The King narrowed his eyes,
'You want to Throne for you petty Revenge?'
He wanted to ask, however, he knew that right now, he couldn't ask anything.
Astaria was in control right now.
"Sounds like you really loved your brother."
"…"
For a while, Evane didn't say anything.
Many scenes played in her mind, scenes where she and Lovis played together as children, the scenes where the two of them drank together, the scenes where the two of them laughed together, however, soon, that scene was replaced by the scene where Nux grabbed Lovis's hand that was about to stab a poisonous dagger in her back.
Her eyes glistened up, however, she then took a deep breath and an emotionless look appeared on her face,
"Yes, I did. He and I were close."
Astaria completely ignored all the changes in Evane's expression and only focused on her words. In truth, living in the Royal Palace for so long had made her numb, even though the woman in front of her was her granddaughter, and from the looks on it, it looked like her granddaughter was about to cry,
She still didn't care.
Heck, for all she knew, she might be acting right now and truth be told, Astaria actually believed that Evane was indeed acting and was actually the one who killed Lovis.
"Then what about him? He was there with you when you two were attacked right? As a King Stage CUltivaor, he could have easily defeated all the assassins on his own.
If you loved your brother so deeply, why didn't you order him to kill all the assassins?
It should have been an easy fight with him around, now?"
Astaria questioned.
